Edward and the Great Discovery by Rebecca McRitchie ill Celeste Hulme

Edward’s mother is an archaeologist.

Edward’s father is an archaeologist.

Edwards grandmother and grandfather are archaeologists.

And all of them have made very important discoveries.

Edward’s mother is an archaeologist.

Edward’s father is an archaeologist.

Edwards grandmother and grandfather are archaeologists.

And all of them have made very important discoveries.

Edward comes from a long line of important-discovery archaeologists. But no matter how he digs, how he searches, he’s been unsuccessful as an archaeologist. Then one night, Edward discovers an egg. He takes it home and looks after it as well as any egg has ever been looked after. Then it hatches. Some time after that, Edward makes his greatest discovery. Illustrations are a mix of full spread and smaller vignettes. They zoom in to give close up pictures of Edward’s relationship with the hatchling and zoom far out to show the enormity of Edward’s quest to make a Great Discovery.

Edward and the Great Discovery is a lovely story about the important things in life and how often we miss them in searching for external goals. This is a story about friendship. Edward is a solitary child, consumed by the need to match (or exceed) the deeds of his forebears. And while his efforts are a worthwhile activity, he almost misses the opportunity to make a friend, someone to share his joys and challenges. Recommended for pre- and early-schoolers.

Edward and the Great Discovery, Rebecca McRitchie ill Celeste Hulme New Frontier Publishing 2014 ISBN: 9781925059007